to go trick or treating on Saturday?

[littledawley]

rather than Sunday which is actually Halloween.

DC have never done it before but really want to and I thought that Saturday would be easier, no school the next day etc.

We were never allowed to go out guising on a Sunday where I grew up - west of Scotland. Everyone went on the Saturday and it was expected in my wee village. Things probably different now - we were all churchgoers in those days

Oh we love Halloween,little girl has been dressing up as a witch and handing out sweets (reluctantly at first) since she was two.
She and her friends are looking forward to trick or treating on Sunday (NOT SATURDAY).
Tho, like many of the above, they only knock on doors displaying pumpkins etc.
Many elderly people around here who I am certain would not appreciate it.

Have never seen any pumpkins out on Halloween here. Guisers just knock on anyone's door. Hadn't realised the putting out pumpkin thing had spread to England.

StewieGriffinsMom TRICK OR TREATING IS NOT THE SAME AS SCOTTISH/IRISH GUISING.

Guising involves children getting dressed up, and performing a song/joke, for which they are rewarded with sweeties, peanuts (in their shellls) or small cash sums. These are for the children to keep, it was never a charity fundraiser.

ToT in the US and Canada may well be a lovely family thing, but unfortunately as adopted over here has, in some cases, become nothing more or less than demanding money with menaces. :(

SGM I stand corrected if trick or treating is not American - it was my understanding that it was.

I still disgaree that people dislike it because it is American they dislike it because it is commercial, in the same way so many people dislike valentines etc.

Anyway I love it and I miss it so will be having a little party here with jelly slime cocktails and worm cakes. Mmmm

Re putting out the pumpkins we used to put out "boos" about a week before halloween you would print a ghost picture on a sheet of paper with the following poem, pop it in a goodie bag and leave it for a couple of neigbours. they would then do the same for two of their neighbours and so on. If you wanted to be visited on Halloween you would put the "boo" on your gate so everyone knew you were up for a visit.

"This treat is for you, we hope you enjoy.
The idea is simple, one we hope you employ.
You pass "BOO" along to two other neighbors.
Along with any kind of Halloween favors.
If we all do our part, and spread the good cheer,
By Halloween night it will be very clear,
We're a friendly bunch, we like to share fun
So please do your part to keep "BOO" on the run"

SGM, the song/dance here (Scotland) is what earns the reward; I'll do a "trick" (performance) and I'll gain a treat. I think you (or someone else, sorry if I got it wrong) said that the "trick" in ToT is a bad joke, poorly performed? So, give me a reward or I'll do a "trick"/bad joke. Slightly difference emphasis is all. :)

I think the reason ToT fails so badly over here is that it is interpreted as, "here I am in my costume, give me a treat or I'll play a trick on you", and the "trick" too often is something like egging your door. :(

(Not small children of course! )

We do Calennig instead on January 1st. Same idea, knock on people's doors and sing a song (a specific one to do with the new year) and people give you money for luck. Far less commercialised that ToT though.

So what's the or part, then? (genuinely trying to understand)

We're having a small halloween party on friday but I won't be going trick or treating because I do think its a form of begging and I will not take my children begging or encourage them to want to beg/ annoy people. But I will encourage the fun side, dressing up, nice sweets, games etc

[hgrin]

Wasn't thinking of you doing anything 'vile' ld - just not at all keen on the concept itself.

Am with LMG - quite happy to do dressing up, pumpkin lantern & dd is off to 3 parties this weekend, but once we're home it'll be into the lounge, lights off and ignoring the doorbell!

Trick or treating before or after Halloween is just begging.

I wouldn't answer the door if you came round on Saturday. I do have sweets to give out on Sunday for actual trick or treaters ofcourse.

I loathe trick or treating so never answer the door, I would think you were totally mad to come begging on a day that wasn't Halloween.

We will also be going guising on Saturday night (north of Scotland).

It isnt the done thing to go out on Sunday.

YABU as I am more likely to open the door on Saturday than on Sunday when I know who's at the door .

I suspect that people's idea of "nasty" American trick or treating is mainly gained from watching films and in reality it is probably nothing like that.

Of course you will get kids who just want to cause trouble in both countries. It is nothing to do with the event.

I have been egged in the UK and by the way the kid didn't bother asking for sweets first. I have also had fireworks shot at me whilst pushing my niece in her push chair. I don't believe this is the fault of either Haloween or Guy Fawkes. It was just a bunch of really rotten teenagers.

Agree that it has to be actually on Halloween, ie Sunday.

I was never keen on trick or treating but gave in last year....

We actually had a lovely evening, only called to houses that had pumpkins out, so mostly families with young children who were delighted for us to call, met lots of families in our neighbourhood for the first time...

I loathe Hallowe'en and will arrange to be out, so I am afraid that if anyone turns up a day early I will look mystified and tell them to get their day right-and close the door! I am most definitely not extending it! YABVU.

I have no issue with Hallowe'en decorations, dressing up, parties etc. I just cannot stand being disturbed in my own home by kids essentially begging for sweets. They wouldn't do it normally, so why is it acceptable to go to strangers houses to do this? We can't guarantee that they will only go to decorated houses or those with pumpkins, either.

Yes, my house has been egged, but I wasn't the original target, that was the teenage lad next door. They were lads from his school. After they'd done his house, they chucked the last two at mine.

Surely going to a party would be much more fun?

Sorry OP, but I won'e be dishing out sweets and treats to TTers on Saturday. Halloween is unday so that is when DD will light her pumpkinto put in the window and when treats will be available - but only to about 8pm.

Halloween party or celebrations on Saturday are fine. TTing though is for Halloween itself, so Sunday only.

hilst I am sure the idea of TT in the way it is done in places like the US is lovely and a big family based event, the truth is that for many peole, esp in the past, TT in the UK was now like this.

When I was little I don't really remember people TTing. There was Mischief Night around this time, but this seems to have gone and been replaced with TTing. Maybe this is where the confusion sems from - because here int he UK, people associate TT with Mischief Night.

I wasn't allowed to TT when I was a child - even back then my parents considered it inappropriate to go round knocking on strange;s doors expecting treats from them.